Face
TO FACE Lerato Mphahlele takes a glimpse into the lives of décor and design professionals
ANDREW MACLAREN-TAYLOR DIRECTOR AT BATHROOM BUTLER
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ndrew Maclaren-Taylor started working for Bathroom Butler (a family business) after completing his studies. His father started the company in the 1970s and taught him and his siblings the ropes of business and the importance of work ethic. In 2005 they launched Bathroom Butler to the market and today it is one of the leading manufacturers of bathroom accessories and heated towel rails. What sets Bathroom Butler products apart? We are driven by innovation and engineering excellence with our focus on design and quality. One of our innovations is our patented RIGID Loc Mounting System for bathroom accessories. We engineered it with the consumer in mind to eliminate the problem of bathroom accessories constantly coming loose. We have also pioneered advanced Dry Element Technology (DET) for our heated towel rails, and we were among the first brand in South Africa to start using grade 304 stainless steel for our products instead of chrome. The most frustrating aspect of my job is not having enough time and resources to always achieve the ambitious goals we set for ourselves. And the most rewarding one is watching how the people within our business quickly grow to have the same love and passion for Bathroom Butler that I have.
122 MARCH 2020
Apart from my profession, I’m passionate about my family. I am married with two children under five. I love spending time with my wife and kids. I love watching my children grow and learn new things for the first time. As much as we teach them, they are here to teach us something new too, and we can rediscover the world through their eyes. I am also passionate about healthy living – healthy eating and exercise. The most cherished space in my home is definitely my bathroom and our dining room. Being in the bathroom industry I have a fine appreciation for what goes into all the products we have in our bathrooms. I know that my wife would agree, the one thing we cannot live without is our heated towel rail. It is something that is very difficult to explain but waking up in the morning and not having a dry and warm towel after showering just sets the day off to a bad start. We spend time together as a family in the dining room, away from all the distractions of the outside world and technology. I draw inspiration from travelling. I am fortunate that what I do requires me to travel often, so I am inspired by these different places, cultures and traditions. Being able talk to different people and hearing their diverse views and perspectives on life has given me a broader understanding of the world. What was your last home décor purchase? Our patio furniture. My greatest extravagance is … I don’t really have any extravagance. If you could fix one thing in South Africa today, what would it be? Unemployment. Give a person a job and you give them the power to change their life. Name one place you’ve been to that lives up to the hype? Hong Kong. It is a bustling city that fascinates me and never disappoints. What advice would you give to your younger self? Trust your gut more and take more risks. My guilty pleasure is coffee. Q
